Geopolitical Risk Is Reshaping Operational Resilience

Video

Geopolitical Risk Demands a Broader Approach to Resilience

At Risk Americas, Anthony Mayer, Chief Risk Officer for the Americas and Global Head of Leveraged Finance Risk at Barclays, discusses why today's geopolitical environment requires firms to look beyond traditional stress testing. He explores the interconnected nature of financial, operational, legal, and regulatory risks, and explains why resilience depends on understanding risk at both the strategic and operational level.

Jul 20, 2026

Anthony Mayer, Chief Risk Officer, Barclays

Tags: Resilience Operational and Non Financial Risk

The views and opinions expressed in this content are those of the thought leader as an individual and are not attributed to CeFPro or any other organization

In this onsite interview from Risk Americas, Anthony Mayer explains why geopolitical events require a broader approach to risk management than traditional capital stress testing alone. While conventional stress tests remain valuable for assessing financial resilience, he argues they often overlook the operational, legal, contractual, and sanctions-related challenges that emerge during periods of geopolitical disruption.

Mayer also discusses the growing importance of understanding risks at a granular level, from client relationships and product structures to contractual obligations and regulatory requirements. He highlights the need for greater cross-functional collaboration between risk, legal, compliance, technology, and business teams, emphasizing that resilience is built by connecting these disciplines rather than managing them in isolation.

Anthony Mayer Bio

Anthony is the Chief Risk Officer for Barclays, with responsibility for second line coverage of all financial risks and non-conduct risks within the Independent Holding Company, Consolidated US Operations (including the New York Branch of BBplc) and other entities within the region. He is a member of the US Executive Committee, and is a Director of Barclays Capital Incorporated, the US broker dealer. Anthony joined Barclays in 2008 and was promoted to MD in 2016. He has held several positions in Risk and Technology across multiple locations, including senior positions in Treasury & Capital Risk and Market Risk for Barclays Group, and most recently as Chief Risk Officer for Barclays Europe. Prior to joining Barclays, Anthony spent 4 years in UBS AG, and before that had an academic career. Anthony graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in Mathematics and Philosophy in 1995, and has multiple masters degrees, and a PhD from Imperial College London.